This is a complete photographic experience. You will learn about photo techniques, bird behavior, and the history of the Ramrod Ranch. You'll be blown away by the natural space just over one hour away from San Jose, California. The property has been developed for nature photography. We use photo blinds and place them next to the ponds, so with the right photographic equipment you can get frame-filled images. It is just marvelous to watch birds in their nature habitat, going about their lives, acting completely natural. To hear a group of California quail calling around your blind is music to the senses. Sometimes a few mammals will surprise us and come to drink too.

Spring time at the Ramrod Ranch is special. The Ranch is turning into one of the favorite spots for migrants to stop and refuel. And you don’t want to miss it!

Bright yellow flashing in the chamise brush as Wilson Warblers chased each other around. It was a special Spring at the Ramrod Ranch, when seven different warbler species were photographed during our bird blind photo workshops.

The incredibly beautiful Male Yellow warbler with its red stripped yellow breast surprised us with appearance at both ponds. MacGillivray’s warblers like the upper pond with its poison oak cover where they can come out and bathe, then, duck quickly back into cover. Black-throated Gray Warblers do favor the open oak grassland habitat with its characteristic blue oaks that surround the upper and lower ponds. The Townsend Warblers were more interested in courting than the fresh water dripping into the upper pond.

The shy orange-crowned warbler came in to bathe too, and a yellow rump warbler was photographed on perch with the pleasing distant hills as background.

"Bruce, Bruce," Judy B. whispered, "there is a yellow robin like bird on top of the tree", then, moments later magically in swept a beautiful Male Tanager in full breeding plumage. "Great spotting, Judy" I told her a few minutes after it made a second appearance. Judy loves her large print she prepared for her Art Shows of this special brilliant Neotropical migrant.

There is a maximum of 4 participants, so each will have the opportunity to receive individualized attention and instruction to ensure their photography workshop objectives are met.

Each spring it seems that the ponds are attracting more and more warblers as they remember this little oasis on their migration route. Come and photograph these brilliant active little birds with us in 2012.